Volume 1, Chapter 145: The Consequences of Treating Only Half of the Problem
Li was surprised to see the golden blood dripping onto Zhou Xuan's face, but seeing Zhou Fuman sweating profusely, he knew that this treatment would likely be extremely exhausting for him. So he kept quiet and watched Zhou Xuan continue.
After Zhou Xuan had completely forced out the blood containing gold, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, placed the needle on the cabinet, and looked at Old Li, panting, "Old Li, are you feeling better?"
The ice crystals clearly show the extent to which Old Li's tumor has shrunk. The tumor's compression on the brain nerves has been reduced to a very small degree; it's only next to the brain nerves without compressing them. Presumably, the pain has been greatly reduced.
Zhou Xuan could detect everything inside the body, but he couldn't detect Lao Li's feelings and thoughts. He couldn't know whether Lao Li was in pain or how much pain he was in; he could only imagine that the pain had lessened somewhat.
Only Old Li himself truly understood this feeling. The pain had not only lessened, but had been reduced to the point of being painless. Overwhelmed with surprise and joy, he stood up, grabbed Zhou Xuan's hand, and said, "Good? No, it's really good. It doesn't hurt anymore, and my head doesn't hurt at all."
Old Li paused for a moment, then realized he was standing while talking to Zhou Xuan. He hesitated again before exclaiming joyfully, "I... I can stand up now!"
People like Old Li, with his status, wouldn't even blink if Mount Tai collapsed before them. They've seen thousands upon thousands of corpses on the battlefield. They've witnessed countless joys and sorrows in life; very few things can excite them.
But now, after standing up, I did so effortlessly. The pain in my head vanished without a trace, replaced by a clear and comfortable feeling. How could that compare to the agony I endured while confined to a wheelchair?
The exhilarating feeling was hard to suppress. No matter how much one sees through things, being able to live well when facing death is still an indescribable feeling of excitement.
It took Old Li quite a while to calm down. After pacing back and forth in the room several times, he finally stopped and said to Zhou Xuan, "Little Zhou, I really don't know how to thank you enough!"
Zhou Xuan smiled, shook his head, and said calmly, "Old Li, I've already said this. I can only do what the old man asked me to do. Also, I can't remove the shrapnel from your body. I only used some methods to reduce the size of the tumor in your brain. The shrapnel is still in your brain, and the tumor is still there. Do you understand?"
Old Li waved his hand and sighed, "Little Zhou, I understand everything without needing to say anything else. What you gave me wasn't just less pain, but the right to live again. At my age, I understand things much better. What about all the emperors, generals, and powerful nobles throughout history? They all died cold and heartless in their most painful moments. I should be grateful to you. Even if I can only live for another month or half a month, it doesn't matter. At least I'm no longer in pain!"
"Old Li, I don't know if I can get rid of the shrapnel in you. All I've done so far is reduce the tumor by half. As for the other shrapnel in your body, I'll come back to treat you in a while, maybe a few days. I'm going to Yunnan tomorrow, and I'll take another look at you after I get back from Yunnan."
Zhou Xuan thought for a moment and then said, "The other shrapnel in Lao Li's body are not as harmful as those in his brain. Even if there is pain, it is not as intense as a brain tumor. We can postpone the treatment. Secondly, I have also depleted my ice energy and am a bit tired. It would be better for both me and Lao Li to have the treatment done in several sessions after I have recovered in a few days."
Too much of the transformed yellow molecules at once is harmful to the body. Zhou Xuan must maintain vigorous energy to safely use the ice energy for treatment. Otherwise, if he accidentally leaves gold molecules in his body and causes Old Li to be poisoned, that would be troublesome.
Old Li readily agreed, "Alright, alright, no problem. You can come back for treatment when you have time." After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Xiao Zhou, where did you say you wanted to go? To Yunnan? That's perfect! My eldest son, Li Lei, works in the Southwest Military Region. Whatever you need, I can have him take care of it for you!"
Zhou Xuan heard Old Li speak so casually. He didn't even ask what the matter was, only saying that Li Lei would handle it directly, as if in his eyes there was nothing he couldn't do. Zhou Xuan chuckled and said, "It's nothing, just a small matter for my business. You don't need to trouble yourself!"
Zhou Xuan refused outright, not because he was unwilling to accept the favor, but because there was no need to turn it into a transaction. Most importantly, he could identify genuine jadeite rough using his special ability. He didn't need anyone's help, and even if he were to repay the favor, he would use it wisely.
Zhou Xuan wouldn't be unwilling to accept help during his most difficult times, but he would never let others lend a hand when he didn't need it, thus wasting his time. Perhaps the Zhou Xuan of today is no longer the simple and honest man he once was; although still kind, he is no longer cunning or simplistic.
Li Lei and Wei Haihong were sitting in the living room, with the guard standing to one side. The old man remained relatively calm.
Li Lei was somewhat anxious, glancing at the stairwell every now and then. If the old man hadn't given him a few words of advice, he really would have gone to the room to keep an eye on Zhou Xuan.
But the old man wasn't like Wei Haihong, who could be scolded and angered at will. The old man's words were even more serious than his father's, so all he could do was wait patiently.
The old man said in a deep voice, "Lei Zi, you used to seem quite composed, with the bearing of a great general. How come you've become so impatient now? With your current composure, how can we possibly promote you?"
Li Lei frowned, somewhat unconvinced, and said, "Grandpa, these are two different things." Suddenly, he saw his father, Li Changzheng, walking in front of him, with Zhou Xuan following behind, slowly walking down the stairs.
Li Changzheng walked down the stairs by himself. Although slow, his steps were steady. Zhou Xuan followed behind him, walking slowly down the stairs without helping Li.
Li Lei's mouth dropped open, and he was so surprised that he couldn't close it!
Li Changzheng suffered from hemiplegia due to a brain tumor compressing his cranial nerves, leaving his legs partially paralyzed. Especially in recent days, the tumor flared up, and his life was in danger. Li Lei rushed back from the military region after receiving the notification. This may very well be the last time he sees the old man!
The old man was somewhat surprised, because he had come to Zhou Xuan's aid and knew Zhou Xuan's abilities. However, Zhou Xuan had clearly told him that he couldn't cure Old Li's problem. The old man was distressed but helpless. Only when Zhou Xuan said he could alleviate some of the pain did he regain a glimmer of hope. Even just easing Old Li's suffering was something. Seeing Old Li's extremely painful expression, the old man's heart ached. His old comrades-in-arms were either gone or nearing their deaths; those still alive could be counted on one hand!
But Zhou Xuan still gave the old man a great surprise!
Li Changzheng walked steadily down the stairs, his expression relaxed, his face showing only excitement, but not a trace of pain, which was obvious to everyone.
After Li Changzheng entered the living room, he ignored everyone's surprise and walked around the living room a few more times, sighing as he went.
Li Lei finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked in a trembling voice, "Dad, how...how are you?"
"What are your eyes for?" Old Li grumbled. In this small house, probably only Old Li and the old man dared to say such a thing about Li Lei, the deputy commander of the military region.
Then Li Changzheng said to Li Lei, "Li Lei, open your eyes wider, Xiao Zhou," pointing at Zhou Xuan, "Xiao Zhou is a great benefactor of our Li family, your father's savior. Look at how you treated Xiao Zhou just now, I just want to beat you up!"
Li Lei was stunned. He had never seen his father speak to him in such a tone before. He had always been the pride of the Li family, the most outstanding second-generation member. Li Changzheng had always been proud of him. Such a rude tone was something he had never heard before.
But Li Lei soon realized that Zhou Xuan was not as ordinary and simple as he appeared on the surface!
With the old man and his father's sharp minds, even if they are old, they wouldn't be easily fooled. Besides, isn't his father perfectly fine now? Being able to help his father walk without pain is more powerful than any words, and that's the best proof!
Li Lei was only stunned for a moment before he quickly stepped forward and tightly grasped Zhou Xuan's hand, saying in a deep voice, "Little Zhou, I apologize for what happened before. I'm very sorry, and please don't hold it against me. I won't say anything else now. From now on, you will be a great benefactor to my Li family!"
"No need to be so polite!" Zhou Xuan said casually, but he admired Li Lei's insistence on being straightforward and honest, right or wrong. Compared to Wei Haifeng, although both were high-ranking generals, Li Lei was more likable.
"I can only alleviate the pain of Elder Li's symptoms, but I can't eliminate the real problem for the time being. It's a bit difficult!" Zhou Xuan said, frowning as he thought. He seemed to have a clue, but he just couldn't think of it.
When Li Lei saw his old man recover and become as healthy as a normal person, he was overjoyed. He thought to himself, since Zhou Xuan had relieved his old man's pain and miraculously enabled him to walk again, his abilities were truly extraordinary. He knew the equipment and technology of the General Hospital of Military and Political Affairs; this branch was specially set up for national leaders, with all the top equipment and personnel in the country. They said it was incurable here, yet this ordinary-looking young man had cured him—what did that prove?
Li Lei understood perfectly well and made up his mind. He absolutely had to cultivate a good relationship with Zhou Xuan from now on. Once he got back, he'd immediately investigate Zhou Xuan thoroughly. As long as he got along well with Zhou Xuan, even if something happened to the old man, he wouldn't stand idly by. Many things had to be fought for; he couldn't rely solely on the old man's influence. What if something happened to the old man? Wouldn't that sever that connection?
Reaching out to pull Zhou Xuan down to sit, Li Lei said with a smile, "Let's talk about it slowly. Look, the old man is doing well now, and you have time to think about this. I see you're a bit tired. How about this, I'll take you somewhere to rest."
Wei Haihong was a little stunned. Just a moment ago, Li Lei looked like he wanted to eat people alive and always thought Zhou Xuan was a liar. But in the blink of an eye, he treated Zhou Xuan more warmly than any of them. They had never seen Brother Li Lei like this before!
Old Li was somewhat pleased; he was naturally happy to see his son being kind to his savior.
Only the old man shook his head slightly, a hint of sadness in his heart. His eldest son, Wei Haifeng, though holding a slightly higher position than Li Lei, was self-serving and lacked political savvy. His second son, however, had made considerable achievements in politics; just look at Li Lei's actions and expression—that was true political savvy. Right now, the old man was holding the fort, but if he were to leave, Haifeng's situation wouldn't be so good. The competition for high-ranking positions in the military was fierce, and with his personality, advancing further would be incredibly difficult!
He is now ninety years old. No matter how good his health is, he is still in his twilight years. In the end, he will return to dust. When he is alive, he still has some face. But when he passes away, he will lose all face!
The old man sighed. But when he saw Li Lei's expression towards Zhou Xuan, a thought struck him!
Zhou Xuan was his lucky star, alas, what a pity. Xiao Qing was deeply in love with Zhou Xuan, which he considered a wonderful thing, a great thing indeed. Unfortunately, Zhou Xuan disagreed. This couldn't be forced; otherwise, if Xiao Qing and Zhou Xuan became husband and wife, Zhou Xuan would be a member of the Wei family. Although Zhou Xuan wasn't involved in military or political affairs, the old man understood very well that with Zhou Xuan's abilities, if used wisely, he could turn the tide and single-handedly save the Jiang family. With Zhou Xuan's assistance, the Wei family's future development would undoubtedly be more secure. However, it remained a tragic dream.